No visit to the Smoky Mountains would be complete without a trip to Cherokee, where traditional arts and crafts and Native American culture are respected and preserved for coming generations. Much of what is called the Qualla Boundary is within Swain County and we are proud to help you learn more about the original inhabitants of these mountains.

And Cherokee is a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Mountain Farm Museum and Mingus Mill are located just north of Cherokee on US 441 (Newfound Gap Road). Easy day trips to Clingman's Dome, Gatlinburg, Cades Cove and Pigeon Forge; horseback riding at Smokemont; and great hiking trails are located on US 441.

Cherokee is also the beginning of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The entrance is on US 441 just north of Cherokee. Enjoy a trip to Waterrock Knob for a beautiful sunset, or just take a scenic drive on this beautiful "backroad" of America

Take I-40 west to Exit 27 (the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway). Continue West on US 74 past Waynesville, Sylva and Dillsboro to Bryson City. Exit 67 is Veterans Boulevard (Downtown Bryson City).

ATLANTA – approximately three hours.

From West Atlanta, take I-75 north to I-575 north, which becomes Georgia route 5. At Blue Ridge, GA, turn left (west) on to Route 60 and travel 1.5 miles to Mineral Bluff, GA. Turn right on to Route "60 Spur" and travel approximately 12 miles to the junction with US 19/74. Turn right (east) and proceed on US 19/74 through Murphy, NC, Andrews, NC and the Nantahala Gorge to Bryson City. The drive from Murphy to Bryson City is approximately one hour.

From East Atlanta, take I-85 north to I-985, which becomes US 23, which becomes US 23/441.You'll pass through Clayton, GA, Franklin, NC and Dillsboro, NC. Just past Dillsboro, take US 74 (the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway) west to Bryson City.

CHARLOTTE – approximately three hours.

Take I-85 west to US 74. Continue west on US 74 to I-26. Go north on I-26 to I-40. Take I-40 west to Exit 27 (US 74, the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway). Continue West on US 74 past Waynesville, Sylva and Dillsboro to Bryson City. Exit 67 is Veterans Boulevard (Downtown Bryson City).

CHATTANOOGA – approximately 2-1/2 hours.

Take I-75 north to US 64 (near Cleveland, TN). Drive east on US 64 (which becomes US 64/74) through Ducktown, TN and the Ocoee River Gorge into North Carolina. At Murphy, NC take US 19/74 east through Andrews, NC and the Nantahala Gorge to Bryson City.

GREENVILLE & SPARTANBURG – approximately two to 2-1/2 hours.

From Spartanburg, take I-26 north to I-40. Take I-40 west to Exit 27 (US 74, the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway). Continue West on US 74 past Waynesville, Sylva and Dillsboro to Bryson City. Exit 67 is Veterans Boulevard (Downtown Bryson City). The drive from Spartanburg to Bryson City is approximately two hours, or 2-1/2 hours from Greenville.

KNOXVILLE

You have a choice of four routes. Driving time depends on route and traffic.

1. Via Interstate 40 - Take I-40 east into North Carolina to exit 27 (US 74, the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway). Continue West on US 74 past Waynesville, Sylva and Dillsboro to Bryson City. Exit 67 is Veterans Boulevard (Downtown Bryson City). The drive from Knoxville to Bryson City is approximately two hours.

2. Via US 129 - Take US 129 south through Alcoa and Maryville. After crossing into North Carolina, take US 28 south to US 74 (the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway). Continue east on US 74 approximately 10 miles to Bryson City. Note: the section of US 129 known as "Deal1s Gap" and "The Tail of The Dragon" is extremely curvy (318 curves in 11 miles). The drive from Knoxville to Bryson City is approximately 2-1/2 to three hours.

3. Via Pigeon Forge and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Take I-40 east to exit 407 and proceed south. At Sevierville, TN, take US 441 south through Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Cherokee, NC. At Cherokee, take US 19 south to Bryson City. Depending on traffic, the drive from Knoxville to Bryson City can be from 2-1/2 to four hours.Travel Alert - road closings

4. Via Townsend and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Take US 129 south through Alcoa to Maryville. In Maryville, take US 321 east to Townsend, TN. From Townsend, take Little River Road east through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to US 441 (at the Park Visitors Center). Take US 441 south through the park to Cherokee, NC. At Cherokee, take US 19 south to Bryson City. Depending on traffic, the drive from Knoxville to Bryson City is approximately three hours. Travel Alert - road closings

Closer
to home...

Two highways serve
Bryson City

• The two-lane US Highway 19

• The four-lane, limited access US Highway
74 (the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway).